No, It’s Not "Just a Feeling": The Real Struggle Hitting Our Neighbors Hard

As an IT guy, I deal with facts and data every day. And when I read about folks dismissing the cost-of-living crisis as "just a perception" or "too much social media," it gets under my skin. That’s not just insensitive; it’s plain wrong. People aren’t imagining this. This is a real, tangible struggle for so many in our communities, and it’s happening in our own backyards.

Here are the hard facts that show just how serious this is:

• The gap between Canada’s highest and lowest incomes is reaching an all-time high, with median wages for the average worker failing to keep pace with rising prices for over two decades.
• Roughly one in five workers – especially younger people, women, immigrants, and racialized Canadians – are stuck in unstable, precarious jobs that offer low wages, few benefits, and little security.
• Housing costs, particularly rents, are skyrocketing. Many lower-income renters are forced to spend well over 30% of their income just on shelter, pushing them to the brink.

As a Christian, I believe we’re called to look out for each "least of these" among us. When I see these numbers, it’s not just statistics; it’s a crisis affecting real people – our neighbors, our colleagues, even families in our churches. It’s about dignity and the ability to live a stable life. Ignoring this isn’t an option for any of us who claim to care about human decency and the well-being of our community. We need to acknowledge this reality and work together to find solutions that truly help those who are struggling.

This story was analyzed for Christ P2P. You can read the original reporting here: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/02/cost-anxiety/